Russia reportedly struck train station while former CIA director there

Russia on Sunday struck a train at Ukraine’s Yahodyn station while former CIA Director David Petraeus was at the station, according to Ukrainian National News. The drone strike came soon after another train carrying foreign security advisers and political figures left the station, Ukraine’s national rail company told the outlet. The company said that the dignitaries’ train left early due to the threat of Russian strikes. The rail company also said that all passengers evacuated the train before it was struck, according to UNN. No injuries were reported.

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt said they were among several European politicians on the train that departed early. Bildt said the strike occurred minutes after his train left the station. He shared a video of passengers evacuating as a drone hit the train and exploded behind them.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said it struck railway infrastructure facilities that were used to transport military supplies from Europe, according to state-run news outlet TASS.

Other such attacks occurred a week ago. Russia struck three passenger trains, killing a conductor and injuring with shrapnel passengers who had fled the train, Ukrainian Railways wrote online Sept. 8.

Why were many political figures visiting Ukraine? They were attending the annual Yalta European Strategy conference in Kyiv, which wrapped up Saturday. The conference’s focus was on peace through strength in Europe and Ukraine. Its 700 attendees included politicians, diplomats, businessmen, Ukrainian military officials, and security experts, according to a social media post from the conference.

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